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Biomedical subjects

C Jones

Publications and source records attributed to C Jones.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Four human chromosome 3q and four human chromosome 21 loci map onto sheep chromosome 1q.

Eight new loci have been assigned to sheep Chromosome (Chr) 1q by use of a chromosomally characterized minipanel of sheep x hamster cell hybrids. Four loci, which have been mapped to the distal region of human Chr 3q, are ceruloplasmin (CP), sucrase isomaltase (SI), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and ectopic viral integration site 1 (EVI1). The other four loci, on human Chr 21, include interferon alpha receptor (IFNAR); interferon inducible protein p78, murine (MX1); collagen type VI, alpha 1 (COL6A1); and S100 protein, beta polypeptide (S100B). All of these loci, except GLUT2 and MX1, have been mapped onto bovine Chr 1 or are syntenic with loci on this chromosome. The in situ localization of transferrin (TF) to sheep Chr 1q42-q45 confirms our previous assignment of this locus and independently anchors the eight new syntenic loci to sheep Chr 1q.

Animals↗

CpG island clones for chromosome 11p--a resource for mapping and gene identification.

A NotI end fragment library has been constructed for human Chromosome (Chr) 11p. Seventy-two clones were mapped to chromosomal subregions by use of somatic cell hybrids. The clones detect 44 different CpG islands, and we have isolated cosmid contigs for 36 of them. Extrapolation from the known 11p13 NotI restriction map suggests that every second CpG island from 11p containing a Not site is already represented in the clone collection. By sequence analysis all of the 11p13 clones exhibit typical features of CpG islands, and cross-species hybridization has been detected with at least one fragment in most cases. The cosmids serve as valuable linking clones for long-range restriction mapping. They also provide excellent starting material for transcript isolation procedures to identify genes on chromosome 11p associated with developmental anomalies and various tumor types. Several transcribed sequences have already been isolated with some of these clones.

Animals↗

Chemical characterisation of glycosylinositolphospholipids of Herpetomonas samuelpessoai.

The structure of two glycosylinositolphospholipids of the cell surface of the monoxenic protozoan Herpetomonas samuelpessoai have been deduced by methylation analysis, fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry and two dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These glycolipids have features in common with the glycoinositolphospholipids of both Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi, resembling the former by the presence of the hybrid type core sequence Man alpha 1-->3(Man alpha 1-->6)Man alpha 1-->4GlcN alpha 1-->6 myo-inositol-1-PO4-lipid, while the 2-aminoethylphosphonate substituent on 0-6 of glucosamine and the presence of ceramide in place of glycerol lipids is more reminiscent of T. cruzi. Possible phylogenetic implications of these observations are discussed.

Animals↗

'Take me away from all this' ... can reminiscence be therapeutic in an intensive care unit?

'Stuart had been with us in the ICU for 4 weeks; weaning attempts from his artificial ventilation were difficult, leaving him frightened, exhausted and despondent. Depression, hopelessness and apathy were beginning to take a hold on him ... until one day something changed everything. A way had been found to help him escape, temporarily, from his intensive care situation. Three days later Stuart was breathing spontaneously and was being prepared for discharge from the ICU.' In this paper potential benefits of reminiscence sessions with patients in a critical care unit are discussed. Background and context are reviewed, leading to some suggestions for practice.

Critical Care↗

High-resolution genotyping of Campylobacter coli identifies clones of epidemiologic and evolutionary significance.

Campylobacter coli strains from clinical and other sources were examined in terms of O (heat-stabile; HS) serotype and by several molecular typing techniques. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) around the three 16S rRNA genes revealed 10 variants, none found in Campylobacter jejuni. RFLP analysis of a polymerase chain reaction amplicon generated from the flagellin gene (flaA) yielded 11 polymorphism groups, some of them linked to HS serotypes. Enlarged flaA genes, contributing three further polymorphisms, were detected in strains isolated from fresh water. Restriction of the genome with SmaI and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was the most discriminatory typing method, detecting 33 macrorestriction profiles that subtyped within HS serotypes. The coincidence of HS serotype and the three genotypic markers identified clonal lines of evolutionary and epidemiologic significance.

Animals↗

Six loci mapped on to human chromosome 2p are assigned to sheep chromosome 3p.

Six loci, apoliproprotein B (including Ag(x) antigen), immunoglobulin kappa constant region (IGKC), luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotrophin receptor, avian myelocytomatosis viral related oncogene, neuroblastoma derived, ornithine decarboxylase, and proopiomelanocortin (adrenocorticotropin/beta-lipotropin) (POMC), were newly assigned to sheep chromosome 3p using a chromosomally characterized minipanel of sheep-hamster cell hybrids. Isotopic in situ hybridization of IGKC to sheep chromosome 3p22-p17 is reported, confirming the cell hybrid assignment. As these loci are all known to map to human chromosome 2p, this study demonstrates that this chromosomal segment is extensively conserved in sheep. Only POMC has been previously assigned to cattle chromosome 11, which is the equivalent of sheep chromosome 3p. Therefore, we predict that the other loci assigned in this study to sheep 3p are likely to be located on cattle 11. The provisional assignment of an additional locus, annexin-like to sheep chromosome 3p is also reported.

Animals↗

Synthesis of the basic-helix-loop-helix region of the immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein E47 and evaluation of its structural and DNA binding properties.

The basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) region of the immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein E47 (IEB E47) was prepared in high yield by a solid-phase peptide synthesis methodology. Size-exclusion chromatography, sedimentation equilibrium and cross-linking data showed that the synthetic bHLH protein, 1, was dimeric, and higher-order aggregates of trimer and tetramer were also observed. The circular dichroism spectrum of 1 showed a high helical content, which increased upon addition of DNA containing the kappa E2 sequence. Gel mobility shift experiments showed that protein 1 bound sequence specifically to the kappa E2 sequence with a binding constant of 10(-10) M2, and had an affinity for other E box sequences as well. Comparisons between the co-crystal structure of IEB E47 with DNA and structural studies in solution showed lower helical contents in solution as would have been predicted from the crystal structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cervical cancer: is herpes simplex virus type II a cofactor?

In many ways, cervical cancer behaves as a sexually transmitted disease. The major risk factors are multiple sexual partners and early onset of sexual activity. Although high-risk types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) play an important role in the development of nearly all cases of cervical cancer, other sexually transmitted infectious agents may be cofactors. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is transmitted primarily by sexual contact and therefore has been implicated as a risk factor. Several independent studies suggest that HSV-2 infections correlate with a higher than normal incidence of cervical cancer. In contrast, other epidemiological studies have concluded that infection with HSV-2 is not a major risk factor. Two separate transforming domains have been identified within the HSV-2 genome, but continued viral gene expression apparently is not necessary for neoplastic transformation. HSV infections lead to unscheduled cellular DNA synthesis, chromosomal amplifications, and mutations. These observations suggest that HSV-2 is not a typical DNA tumor virus. It is hypothesized that persistent or abortive infections induce permanent genetic alterations that interfere with differentiation of cervical epithelium and subsequently induce abnormal proliferation. Thus, HSV-2 may be a cofactor in some but not all cases of cervical cancer.

Female↗

Identification of gene products encoded by the latency-related gene of bovine herpesvirus 1.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) establishes a latent infection in sensory ganglionic neurons of infected animals. Expression of latency-related (LR) gene products is controlled by a 980-bp fragment (LR promoter). DNA sequence analysis revealed that two major open reading frames (ORFs) are in the LR gene. Antibodies directed against both ORFs were generated in rabbits by using synthetic peptides. Antibody P2, which is directed to sequences near the amino terminus of ORF 2, recognized a 41-kDa protein in lytically infected cells, suggesting that ORF 2 encodes a protein. When the LR gene was inserted into a mammalian expression vector and subsequently transfected into COS-7 cells, a 41-kDa protein was detected by use of silver-stained sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels and by the P2 antibody. In contrast, this protein was not detected in mock-transfected cells. Deletion of DNA sequences containing ORF 2 blocked synthesis of the 41-kDa protein in COS-7 cells. Reverse transcriptase-mediated PCRs indicated that splicing occurs near the C terminus of ORF 2. Further studies indicated that LR RNA was alternatively spliced in latently infected cattle and that a fraction of LR RNA was poly(A)+. Taken together, these studies suggested that a spliced LR transcript has the potential to encode a 41-kDa protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assignment of five loci from human chromosome 8q onto sheep chromosome 9.

Using a chromosomally characterized minipanel of sheep x hamster cell hybrids, five new loci, including carbonic anhydrase II (CA2), calbindin 1 (28 kDa) (CALB1), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), cytochrome P450 11B subfamily XIB (steroid-11-beta-hydroxylase), polypeptide 1 (CYP11B1), and interleukin 7 (IL7), have been assigned to sheep chromosome 9. A homolog of CA2 was detected on sheep chromosome 1. CRH was regionally localized to sheep 9q23-->q28 by in situ hybridization. This study assigns chromosome 9 as the sheep equivalent of cattle chromosome 14 and indicates that CALB1, CYP11B1, and IL7, which have not been mapped on the cattle genome, are likely to be present on cattle chromosome 14. It also shows by comparative genome analysis that a large segment of human chromosome 8q is highly conserved in sheep chromosome 9 and cattle chromosome 14. Based on these data, we propose that sheep chromosome 9 be recognised as the equivalent of cattle chromosome 14.

Animals↗

Genetic and radiation-reduced somatic cell hybrid sublocalization of the human GSTP1 gene.

A number of related enzymes like glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and fatty acid ethyl ester synthases (FAEESs) have been implicated in detoxification and drug resistance. The anionic class of GSTs, pi, and closely related FAEES-III exhibit tissue-specific and developmentally regulated expression, and the former has been shown to be overexpressed or amplified in a variety of tumors. The GSTP1 gene has previously been cloned and cytogenetically localized to human 11q13 by in situ hybridization. Using a series of previously described radiation-reduced somatic cell hybrids, we have sublocalized GSTP1 to 11q13. We isolated a genomic clone containing the entire GSTP1 gene and sequenced it. Analysis of the 5'region revealed 23 (TAAAA) tandem repeats interrupted by a single TA and TAA insertion. This repeat number differs among individuals. Eleven alleles in a mostly Caucasian sample were observed. This repeat has a polymorphism information content of 0.74. Linkage analysis of the Venezuelan reference pedigree places GSTP1 5 cM distal to PYGM and 4 cM proximal to FGF3 thereby providing a genetic marker half-way between these two loci. The sublocalization and genetic characterization of GSTP1 facilitates linkage analysis of several disease genes mapped to this chromosome band as well as the correlation of genetic and physical markers in the region.

Animals↗

Relation between insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity, and postprandial lipemia.

We examined the relation between insulin resistance, plasma glucose and insulin responses to meals, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and postprandial lipemia in a population of 37 healthy nondiabetic individuals. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were determined at frequent intervals from 8 AM through midnight (breakfast at 8 AM and lunch at noon); resistance to insulin-mediated glucose disposal was determined by measuring the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration at the end of a 180-minute infusion of glucose, insulin, and somatostatin; LPL activity was quantified in postheparin plasma; and postprandial concentrations of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins were assessed by measuring the TG and retinyl palmitate content in plasma and the Svedberg flotation index (Sf) > 400 and Sf 20 to 400 lipoprotein fractions. Significant simple correlation coefficients were found between various estimates of postprandial lipemia and SSPG (r = .38 to .68), daylong insulin response (r = .37 to .58), daylong glucose response (r = .10 to .39), and LPL activity (r = -.08 to -.58). However, when multiple regression analysis was performed, only SSPG remained independently associated with both postprandial TG and retinyl palmitate concentrations. These data provide evidence that insulin resistance plays an important role in regulating the postprandial concentration of TG-rich lipoproteins, including those of intestinal origin.

Adult↗

Mechanisms of alphafetoprotein transfer in the perfused human placental cotyledon from uncomplicated pregnancy.

We investigated the mechanisms of alphafetoprotein (AFP) transfer across the human placenta by correlating measurements of AFP transfer with cytochemical localization of AFP. Placental cotyledons were dually perfused in vitro with either the fetal or maternal perfusate containing umbilical cord plasma as a source of AFP. Steady state AFP clearance, corrected for release of endogenous AFP, was 0.973 +/- 0.292 microliter/min per gram in the fetal to maternal direction (n = 10), significantly higher (P < 0.02) than that in the maternal to fetal direction (n = 5; 0.022 +/- 0.013 microliter/min per gram). Clearance of a similarly sized protein, horseradish peroxidase was also asymmetric but clearance of the small tracer creatinine was not. Using a monoclonal antibody, we localized AFP to fibrinoid deposits in regions of villi with discontinuities of the syncytiotrophoblast, to cytotrophoblast cells in these deposits, to syncytiotrophoblast on some villi, and to trophoblast cells in the decidua. We conclude that AFP transfer in the placenta is asymmetric and that there are two available pathways for AFP transfer: (a) from the fetal circulation into the villous core and across fibrinoid deposits at discontinuities in the villous syncytiotrophoblast to enter the maternal circulation; and (b) AFP present in the decidua could enter vessels that traverse the basal plate.

Biological Transport↗

Post traumatic stress disorder: turning the tide without opening the floodgates.

The development of the legal concept of nervous shock represents a compromise between the need to compensate those suffering psychiatric damage and the need to protect a defendant from unlimited liability. The criteria which have developed to achieve this balance are arbitrary ones, which take little account of psychological or physiological knowledge about post traumatic stress disorder. It is suggested that recent developments in scientific understanding of this condition could usefully inform the legal process, and that some aspects of the dilemma could be avoided.

Humans↗